Malting apparatus



MALTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I WM. A. PETERMAN I ATTORNEYS w. A. PETERMAN murme APPARATUS May 28, 1940.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 10; 1938- INVENTOR ATTORNEYS' I Patented -May 28, 1940 I I UNITED/STA i MALTINGIAPPARATUS -Williarn-A.:Peterman, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor.

" fto GallandrHennin'g Mfg. 00., Milwaukee; Wis.,

a jcorporation of Wisconsin Applica'tion December 10, 1938,-Seria l N0. 244,874

Such operation usually requires the entrance of v workmen into the drumfor the purpose of shoveling the malt from the ends of the drum to a discharge opening in the peripheral wall of the drum, it being borne in mind" that conventional drums are of substantial'length, while the discharge opening is necessarily relatively small,

16 because of other factors, such as the apparatus for receivingand conveying malt from the drum.

The present invention hasprimarily for its ob,- fject to overcome the foregoing difiiculties by the provision of exceedingly simpleand inexpensive means for automatically removingmalt-from the highly dangerous manual operation.

Incidental to the foregoing, a.- more specific object of the invention is to provide a malting drum with a plurality of annularly spaced openings intermediate its ends, and means carried by the interior of' the drum for directing its con: tents towards said openings upon rotation of the drum.

provision of a comparatively simple and inexpensive mechanism for receiving and conveying I the discharged contents of a gang of drums to subsequent drying apparatus.

tion including a plurality. vof axially parallel drums-having a common conveyor extending longitudinally thereof, and providedwith a portable hopper for selectively receiving the contents conveyor. v e

A still further object resides in the provision 45 prevent overloading and choking.

which will ap'pearas the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, comas hereinafter described, and more particularly j defined by the appended claims, it being under: stood that such changes in the precise embodi ment of the herein disclosed invention may be made-as come within thescope of theclai ns; In the accompanyingdrawings is illustrated.

This invention pertains tomalting-apparatus;

practical application of the installation incorporating Figure 2..

drum thus eliminating aftedious, costly, and

"pit -2 are a plurality-of malting drums 4, in par- 7 the longitudinal conveyor 3. A further object of the invention residesinthef A more specific object is to provide an-installa-- of the drums, and delivering thesame to the With the above and other objects in'view/ bination, and arrangement ofparts, substantially v I -Mounted within 'the'drum, adjacent its front. 50 head, .is apartition. l4, that cooperates with the after: described.

one'complete-example of the physical embodi'-- ment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the principles thereof. In the drawings: w '5 Figure 1 isa diagrammatic view of atypical the principles of the present invention. Y

Figure .2 is an end elevation of one of the maltin'g drums, parts-being broken away and in 0 section to inore clearly illustrate structural details. 1 I "Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectionthrough a d'rum,-the same being taken on theline 33 of Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the-numeral! designates Ia suitablefloor or foundation provided with a'lonitudinaLpit 2, in w'hich a conventionalcon veyor 3 of the 1 screw, type is centrally mounted. "20

' I ransversely and' rotatably SHDDQrted above the allel-axial=arrangement. Positioned above each drum is a steeping tank 5, from which the steeped barley is spouted into the drums 4;

upon the longitudinal conveyor '3is atrav'eling hopper 6 for selectively receiving malt' from the individuahdrums 4; and delivering' the same to ;-The foregoing T generally-describes the pre- 0 I fe'rred type 1 of installation; .However, itwill be apparent, as the description proceeds, that cer-' tain features of the invention a're'not dependent x upon the arrangement shown.

being provided with a central opening 10 to al-',

- low the introduction and discharge of air from I thedrum. The front-end of the drum is pro-' 4 yided With an air inlet tube I l, the head of which isfrotatably connected to the drum head 8surrounding itscentraljopening Ill. Likewise, an exhaust "flue I2 is provided'for the rearend of the'drum, being rotatably connected to the head v 9 surrounding its discharge opening I 0. Both 'the'Ii inIet t'ube II and exhaust 'flue I2 may be provided'with dampers I3 for controlling circulationof air through the drum.

head ;8 ..to' form anair. inlet compartment "l5,

to various parts of the drum,;asi will be herein- Mounted 25 v Extending longitudinally and axially of the drum is a perforated cylindricaltube l6 communicating with the opening Ill in the rear head 9, for the purpose of exhausting air from the drum.

In operation, the drum is initially filled with grain to a level above the central tube l6, and, therefore, the tube is provided with a plurality of spaced, longitudinal fins ll, projecting radially from the periphery of the tube, for the purpose of agitating that portion of the contents of the drum immediately surrounding the tube. Here it might be explained that upon completion of the germinating process, due to growth and swelling of the grain, the drum is substantially filled to capacity.

Also, extending longitudinally through the drum, and carried by the partition l4 and the rear head 9, are a plurality of square, perforated tubes 18, open at their forward ends and closed at their rear ends by removable covers 19. The forward ends of the tubes it are provided with gravity actuated dampers 2t, pivotally carried by the partition i l, and, as best shown in Figure 2,

it will be apparent that the action of the dampers 2B is such as to'open the front or inlet ends of the tubes it during their course of travel below the axis of the drum, and to close the same during their top travel.

This is essential during the initial period of germination, due to the fact that the drum is only partially filled with grain, and, therefore, as the tubes I8 rotate over their upper course of travel, they leave the mass of grain, and air entering the same would have a tendency to be rapidly drawn over the grain rather than through the body of the mass, thus retarding the germinating process and creating varying conditions in different parts of the drum.

In addition to the inner tubes IS, the partition I4 is also provided with'annularly spaced openings Zi disposed between the tubeopenings, and

' adjacent the outer shell I. The openings 2| are preferably covered with fine-meshed screens 22 to restrict the volume of air entering the same, and also prevent the escape of barley from the drum into the distributing compartment I5. It

has been found thatthe openings 2| are essential for the introduction of additional air into the mass of grain adjacent the head, as well as above the grain level during the initial process of germination. i

A water supply pipe 23 is introduced through the head of the inlet tube H, and communicates with a rotatable valve 24, which is connected with a plurality of spray pipes 25 extending longitudinally through the drum adjacent the central tube It and between the longitudinal fins IT. The valve 26 is of such design as to provide communication between the supply line 23 and the perforated spray pipes 25 when the latter travel their course above the axis of the drum only. The water supply line is controlled by a manually operable valve 2 3, by which the desired amount of :2 water required in the germinating process can be accurately and definitely controlled.

Intermediate the ends of the drum, and preferably centrally thereof, the shell 1 is provided with a plurality of annularly spaced and circumferentially alined openings 21, for which slidable covers 28 are provided. These openings serve in both charging and dumping of the drum. During the charging operation, only one opening positioned at the top of the drum is employed, but during the discharging or dumping operation, all

of the openings are utilized, as will be hereinafter explained.

As heretofore explained, one of the salient features of the present invention resides in the provision of means for automatically discharging the contents of the drum, to eliminate the necessity have been shown and described, it will be understood that the same results may be accomplished by suitably spaced bafiles or plates. Therefore,

1 the invention contemplates any means carried by the interior of the drum for accomplishing the desired result.

Positioned upon the foundation l, upon opposite sides of the pit 2, are pairs of spaced brackets 30, each of which carries a supporting roller 36 engaging annular tracks 32 secured to the outer periphery of the shell I to rotatably support the drum. Intermediate the forward pair of brackets another bracket 32' is supported on the foundation l, and'has journaled therein a driven shaft 33, upon which a pinion 34 is fast, the pinion as engaging an annular gear 35 secured to the exterior of the shell I. Also, secured on the shaft 33 is a gear 36 driven by a pinion 31 connected with a reducing transmission 38, which in turn is operated by a two-speed electric motor 39.

The conveyor 3, positioned in the pit 2, below the drums A, is of more or less conventional structure, and consists of suitable supports 40 that carry a trough 4|, in which a conveyor screw 42 opcrates. Mounted above the conveyor are longitudinal; tracks 43, upon which the hopper 6 travels'. The hopper 6 is mounted in a suitable frame 44, supported upon the tracks 43 by flanged wheels as, which permit the hopper to be manually propelled along the conveyor, for selective alinement with the drum to be dumped.

It is highly essential to control delivery of material from the hopper to the conveyor screw, to prevent overloading and choking of the latter. Therefore, a rotatable paddle wheel 46 is mounted within the discharge throat of the hopper, and being driven at a predetermined speed by means of an electric motor ll, carried by the frame 44, the contents of the hopper are uniformly discharged-into the conveyor in accordance with its capacity.

From the foregoing explanation, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought that the operation of the present invention will be readily understood. However, in order that a full appreciation may be had of the resulting advantages, various steps in the process will be briefly described.

. As heretofore explained, when it is desired to charge a drum, one of the covers 28 is re: movedto expose an opening 21, through which grain is spouted from the steeping tank 5, positioned above the drum, the drum being filled to a level slightly above the central tube It, and leaving sufficient space to compensate for subsequent growth and swelling of the material as a result of the germinating process. The cover is then looked in closed position, and the drum is slowly rotated at a speed of approximately one revolution in 40 minutes throughout the germin- Figures 1 and 2; and all of the openings 21 are through the inlet "tube 1 l.

ati'ng perio d, which usually consumes-approximately six 'days time. During' the germinating process enforced. circulation is created through thedrum, conditioned air entering the front end of the'drum and the distributing compartment I5 tion period is introduced into the top portion of the grain through the perforated spray lines 25,

as heretofore explained.

Due to the'fact that the speed of rotation of the drums 4, during the germinating period, is

relatively slow, the spiral fins 29 are ineifective, causing little or no movement of the grain within the drum. However, the fins l1, carried bythe central perforated tube l6, serve to continuously agitate the grain surrounding the tube, thus preventing the tube from merely boring within the mass, and facilitating entrance of air into the tube.

When it is desired to dump a drum, the hopper 6 is positioned directlythereunder, as shown in exposed by removal of their respective covers 28. Through the two-speed motor, the drum is then rotated at a relatively high rate of speed, approximately one revolution in ten minutes. speed, the spiral fins 29 become effective, particularly after that portion of the material, which would naturally flow by gravity through the openings 21, has been discharged, leaving quantities of grain in the opposite ends of the drums. As explained, the spiralfins 29 graduallypick up the grain and feed the same to the discharge openings through which it is delivered to the hopper 6, the latter, by means of the rotatable paddle. wheel, controlling the rate of feed of material to, the conveyor 42 that carries the grain to kiln floors for subsequent drying As an example, the typical installation illustrated in Figure 1 is designed for a drum malting plant having an annual capacity of one million bushels, and includes twenty-four six hundred bushel maltingdrums operating upon a six-day germinating basis. I

During the six-day germinating period, the drums are revolved at their minimum speed,

causinga uniform and continuous movement of the malt without injury to the kernels, while moist, cool air currentsare constantly drawn through it. 'At times it may be desired to terminate the germinating process before the end of the six-day period, and this is accomplished by closing the damper, in the inlet tube of the drum,

, thus shutting off the moist air supply.' A door in the front drum head is then opened and'dry, atmospheric air is drawn through the malt to institute a withering process. In an installation of the capacity shown, it is customary to regulate the process so that the drums are serviced in gangs of four every twenty-four hours, inasmuch as'the subsequent drying period on a kiln floor is ap- At this :which creates a tendency to mat.

continuousproduction. Due to 'the volurne io f material handled in a plant of theforegoing size, the advantages 'of the present invention; infacilitating handling of proximately twenty' -four hoursr -This allowsa a 'the grain and reducing manual labor required,

Willbe readily appreciated, and it'will be 'apparent-that the present invention overcomes numerous; difficulties and objections to conventional apparatus, in that 'it materially simplifies and reduces j the cost of manufacture; installation,

maintenance,- and operation.

' --F'or instance, -heretofore"-it has been common practice "to provide independent receiving conveyo'rs positionedlongitudinally'below each drum for receiving the 'contentsof the drum and delivering thesame to a common conveyor, all of which requires elaborate, expensive. equipment, and while" some,'attempts have 'beenf made to 'utiliz'e a common conveyor for a plurality-of drums, they have proved to be impractical, =in

that no provision was made for controlling the delivery of grain from the drums to the conveyor in relation to its capacity.

'The present invention solves the foregoing problems by an exceedingly inexpensive design of portable hopper for selectively serving individual drums, and controlling delivery to. a common.

conveyor. v

Another important advantage'of the present invention results in the provision of means for automatic dumping of the drums during rotation,

whichmaterially reduces the usual time required, and eliminates manual labor, with its accom-,

panying expense and hazards.

Irrespective'of means within the malting drum the'jprovision of a plurality of annularly alined openings positioned intermediate the ends of the drum results in distinct advantages, both in changing and dumping the drum.

For instance, even though the fins 29 are eliminated, rotation of the drum at relatively high speed results in constant leveling. of the grain contained" therein, with resultant discharge through the annular openings, and, in actual practice, although a somewhat longer period of time is required for dumping in the absence of i the spirally arranged deflectors, the operation is still effective, leaving-only a very limited amount the spout, during which rotation the grain is 1 automatically leveled, making room for an additional charge. This may be repeated asmany times as is required to fill the drum to the desired level, thus" eliminating manual spreading in order to accommodate the required spouted charge. 7 fi I Lastly, the variable speed drive of the .drum results in better control'of the germinating process, particularly under conditions of high temperatures, such as those encountered in the summer monthsgand in warm climates, due tothe fact that under conditionsoof high temperature, the growth of the grain is inclined to'berapid, Under' such conditions, even during the germinating period, the drum may be intermittently rotated at high for feeding grain toward the discharge openings,

speed, causing the grain to flufi and avoid undesired matting.

Also, it has been found that moistening or watering of the grain is best accomplished at relatively high speed, in that the grain is fluflfed, allowing the water to more readily and uniformly permeate the grain than under packed or matted conditions occurring at relatively slow speed.

I claim:

1. In a malting apparatus, a gang of alined pneumatic melting drums rotatably mounted in parallel axial relation upon a foundation provided with an elongated pit extending transversely below said drums, each of said drums being provided with a pluralityof spaced alined circumferential openings intermediate its ends, a longitudinal conveyor positioned in said pit in alignment with the openings in said drums, and a portable hopper mounted above said conveyor and movable longitudinally of the same for selective vertical alinement with the openings in each drum for receiving grain therefrom and uniformly delivering the same to said conveyor.

2. In a melting apparatus, a gang of alined pneumatic malting drums rotatably mounted in parallel axial relation upon a foundation provided with an elongated pit extending transversely below said drums, each of said drums being provided with a plurality of spaced alined circumferential openings intermediate its ends, a longitudinal conveyor positioned in said pit in alignment with the openings in said drums, a portable hopper mounted above said conveyor and movable longitudinally of the same for selective vertical alinement with the openings in each drum for receiving grain therefrom, and driven means carried by said hopper for limiting the maximum quantity of grain delivered to said conveyor from the hopper.

WILLIAM A. PETERMAN. 

